The Falcon's Nest

Dear Fernway Families,

What a start to the school year! Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and support as we’ve settled into our routines while also navigating the final stages of our building renovations. It has been wonderful welcoming our Falcons back and seeing the excitement throughout the school each day.

As we head into September, here are a few important reminders and updates:

Arrival & Dismissal: Thank you for helping us keep arrival and dismissal safe and efficient. Please continue following the designated drop-off and pick-up procedures and locations outlined below. Consistency makes a huge difference, especially during these busy times of the day.
Attendance Matters: Being at school and arriving on time each day is incredibly important. Thank you for making regular, on-time attendance a priority.
Renovation Update: We continue to make progress throughout Fernway and appreciate everyone’s patience. Our building is looking better every day, and we’re excited about the improvements our students and staff will enjoy this year and beyond.
PTO: Please see below for information from our wonderful PTO regarding Hot Lunch and other upcoming opportunities. Your participation and support help make so many additional opportunities possible for our students.

Thank you for an outstanding start to the 2026–2027 school year. I’m excited for everything ahead and grateful to be part of the Fernway community.

Sincerely,

John Conley

What Does Belonging Look Like in D140?

As we begin the school year, D140 is launching You Matter. We All Belong., a yearlong effort to strengthen the sense of belonging across our schools.

Throughout the year, you'll receive short monthly messages that focus on simple ways we can work together to help every child feel connected, valued, and supported.

Research consistently shows that students thrive when they know they belong. We appreciate your partnership in creating welcoming school communities where every student can succeed.

Together, we can make sure every child knows: You Matter. We All Belong.

Patriot Day - September 11

Students and staff are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue on

Friday, September 11, in observance of Patriot Day.

Save the Date! National Walk & Roll to School Day is Wednesday, October 7

D140 families are encouraged to walk or bike to school together on

Wednesday, October 7, in celebration of National Walk & Roll to School Day.

Stay Connected with ParentSquare!

KSD 140 uses the ParentSquare messaging platform to keep parents and guardians informed and engaged with our schools and the District.

Receive messages from the school via email, text, or app notification
Choose to receive information as it comes or all at once with a daily digest at 6 p.m.
Communicate in your preferred language
Direct message teachers and staff
Sign up for parent-teacher conferences
Sign forms & permission slips, sign up to volunteer, and more, all from your desktop or mobile device

We encourage parents to access their accounts by visiting parentsquare.com/signin and REGISTERING using the email or phone number listed in Infinite Campus.

For even greater convenience, please download the ParentSquare app (available free for iOS and Android devices).

Fifth Grade Beginning Band Registration

Fifth Grade Beginning Band Registration will be held on Wednesday, September 16 and Thursday, September 17, at Grissom Middle School. The schedule is as follows:

Fifth Grade Beginning Band registration schedule for Wednesday, September 16:

Fernway Park Elementary from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Bannes Elementary from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Millennium Elementary from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Fifth Grade Beginning Band registration schedule for Thursday, September 17:

Helen Keller Elementary from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
McAulffe Elementary from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Make-up time from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

If you cannot Fernway's suggested time, you may attend any of the other schools’ times listed above or the make-up time on Thursday evening. Please arrive at the scheduled start time for these sessions.

All sessions take place at Grissom Middle School. If you have any questions regarding Beginning Band Registration, please email your child's band director. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Arrival and Dismissal Reminder

During construction, only Doors 5 (back) and 8 (front) will be used. Please review the map above.

Arrival

Staff supervision begins at 7:45 a.m., and classes begin at 7:55 a.m. Please do not drop off students early. Students arriving after 8:00 a.m. must be signed in by an adult.

Walkers and bus riders: Door 8
Car riders A–G: Front lot off 88th Avenue; Door 8
Car riders H–Z: O’Brien lot; supervised walkway to Door 5

The Door 5 walkway closes at 7:55 a.m. Late arrivals must use Door 8. Car riders should pull completely forward before allowing students to exit.

Dismissal

Bus riders: Exit Door 8 and are escorted to buses.
Walkers and bike riders: Exit Door 8. South walkers cross O’Brien with the crossing guard. North walkers are escorted along the bus lane after buses leave.
Car riders A–G: Use the front lot’s three coned lanes.
Car riders H–Z: Use the O’Brien lot’s five coned lanes. The lot will not open before 2:00 p.m.

When waiting along O’Brien, remain in your vehicle. Once inside the lot, pull completely forward, turn off your engine, and exit only when directed by staff. Students cannot be picked up from vehicles parked on the street, and families may not enter the construction area.

Car riders will be released after buses and walkers. Staff will dismiss lanes when all students are safely in their vehicles. If a lot is full, wait on 88th Avenue or O’Brien Drive until directed inside. Late pickups must report to the office.

Ivy League: Drop-off and pick-up will take place in the front of the school. Students will enter/exit through Door 8.

PTO Information

🍎 HOT LUNCH ORDERS

Hot Lunch orders are due by **September 8**!

👉 https://my.cheddarup.com/c/q1-hot-lunch-treats-sept-nov-2026/items

🙋 HOT LUNCH VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

If you didn’t get a chance to sign up for Hot Lunch volunteer opportunities, you can sign up here:

👉 https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0848A8AA23A4FCC25-64990999-q1hotlunch?useFullSite=false

♥️ PTO MEMBERSHIP & DONATIONS

Want to join the PTO or make a donation to help support our students and staff? Visit:

👉 my.cheddarup.com/c/pto-signup-20262027

📬 Any questions, please email fernway140pto@gmail.com

Mark Your Calendar

2026 Dates:

Monday, September 7 - Labor Day: NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, September 8 - Hot Lunch Orders Due
Friday, September 11 - Patriot Day: wear RED, WHITE, & BLUE
Wednesday, September 16 - Fifth Grade Beginning Band Registration

5:00 to 6:00 PM @ Grissom Middle School (17000 S 80th Ave, Tinley Park)

Thursday, September 17 - PTO Meeting @ 3:00 PM
Thursday, September 17 - Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 PM at District Administration Center
Monday, October 12 - Columbus Day: NO SCHOOL
Thursday, October 22 - Picture Day @ Fernway

Keep Connected Falcons

Keep connected with fellow Falcons by checking out any of these web pages.

Fernway Facebook Page

Fernway PTO

Fernway Instagram Page

Fernway School Website

Health and Wellness

D140 prioritizes comprehensive strategies to support students' mental, emotional, and physical health. Please click Health Information to review our resources. Together, we can create a nurturing environment where every student can thrive.